The European Heart Network (EHN) has submitted its contribution to the consultation on the updated Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) of the European Partnership ERA4Health, which will guide future European research priorities and funding in public health and health research.
In its response, EHN calls for a stronger focus on population-level prevention and the structural determinants of cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases, arguing that research should go beyond individual behaviour change and place greater emphasis on the social, environmental, economic and commercial factors that shape health.
EHN also highlights the need for research to better address the commercial determinants of health, including the influence of tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food industries, and to strengthen research on the effectiveness of regulatory and policy measures that create healthier environments. The response calls for greater attention to ultra-processed foods, environmental determinants of cardiovascular health, vaccination as part of cardiovascular disease prevention, and stronger safeguards against conflicts of interest in publicly funded research.
In addition, EHN recommends embedding meaningful patient involvement throughout the research process and ensuring that equity considerations are integrated across research priorities, with greater attention to under-represented populations and health inequalities. The response also encourages stronger alignment between the SRIA and the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan (Safe Hearts Plan) to support comprehensive cardiovascular prevention and improve public health outcomes across Europe.
EHN will continue to engage with European research initiatives to ensure that future health research priorities support effective prevention, reduce cardiovascular disease and promote health equity.
Read EHN’s full contribution to the ERA4Health Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda consultation.